964 Report upon the Coal ofBehar. [Nov. 



II. Soan and Koela coal field. W. B. Tytler, Superintending 

 Steam Engineer at Danapur. 



] st. " How many situations are there in your vicinity, at which good 

 coal might be raised, and what the distance of the mines from the 

 nearest navigable rivers ?" 



1st. The coal with which I am acquainted is situated on the Soan 

 river, between Rahtas Gurh and Paldmow, and might be advantageously 

 raised near Surdra on the Amanath river ; another good situation will 

 also be found at Hatar, where the coal is of a very fine bituminous qua- 

 lity, equal to any I have examined in this country. 



2nd. " What are the situations at which depots might be most con- 

 veniently established ? for what period will these deopts be respectively 

 accessible for ordinary boats of a certain size ? whether is any peculiar 

 form of boat desirable or necessary, and what is the probable expense 

 per maund of delivering the coal at the nearest depot accessible to large 

 boats ?" 



2nd. I would propose Seebpur as a general depot, situated at the 

 junction of the Soan with the Ganges, near Danapur ; it will be found 

 a central and convenient spot, accessible to large boats at all seasons of 

 the year. I would also propose to establish another depot at Ghane- 

 ghat, where large boats would be obstructed from passing up the Soan 

 during the months of October, November, December, January, February, 

 March, April, May, and June. 



From Ghane-ghat downwards to Seebpur, boats of about 500 

 maunds might ply throughout the year, but above that point smaller 

 size boats would be desirable, owing to the shallowness of the river. In 

 my opinion square punts or lighters, similar to those employed on the 

 Thames for conveying coal, would be of great use, as the quantity of 

 coals they would convey would be greater than that of any other craft 

 known in this country. The expense I estimate the coal at after it has 

 been laid down at Seebpur, would be six to eight anas per maund. 



3rd. " Whether any parties are now engaged in working coal mines 

 in your neighbourhood ? and what is your opinion as to the best mode of 

 proposing for tenders, or otherwise rendering the coal in your vicinity 

 available for river steamers ?" 



3rd. I am not aware of any of the mines having been as yet opened 

 by any other person than Captain Sage, the executive officer of Dana' 

 pur, who some years ago brought from 12 to 1600 maunds to this station 

 for brick burning, &c. &c, and he speaks very highly of the quality. 

 I am of opinion that any mode of inviting public competition for a 



